Postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis resulting in a prepubic abscess and osteomyelitis

Marianne Antoinette de Groot; Eva Lisanne Brunner; Arjen Kolk; Mireille Duindam

doi:10.1136/bcr-2023-256390

Postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis resulting in a prepubic abscess and osteomyelitis

BMJ Case Rep. 2023 Nov 21;16(11):e256390. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2023-256390.

Authors

Marianne Antoinette de Groot¹, Eva Lisanne Brunner², Arjen Kolk³, Mireille Duindam²

Affiliations

¹ Obstetrics & Gynaecology, HagaZiekenhuis, Den Haag, Netherlands [email protected].
² Obstetrics & Gynaecology, HagaZiekenhuis, Den Haag, Netherlands.
³ Orthopedic Surgery, HagaZiekenhuis, Den Haag, Netherlands.

PMID: 37989325
PMCID: PMC10668185 (available on 2025-11-21)
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-256390

Abstract

Postpartum pubic symphysis diastasis (PSD) refers to an abnormal widening of the pubic symphysis after delivery. It is a rare and underdiagnosed condition that causes severe pain and can be complicated by osteomyelitis and abscess formation. This article reports a case of a para 4 woman in her 30s with postpartum PSD after vaginal delivery who presented with a prepubic abscess. Multimodal treatment consisted of incision and drainage, physiotherapy and prolonged antibiotic treatment.

Keywords: Bone and joint infections; Infections; Obstetrics and gynaecology; Orthopaedics.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Abscess / complications
Adult
Female
Humans
Osteomyelitis* / complications
Osteomyelitis* / diagnosis
Postpartum Period
Pubic Symphysis Diastasis* / diagnostic imaging
Pubic Symphysis Diastasis* / surgery
Pubic Symphysis*